PERSPECTIVES OF DIFFERENT TYPE BIOLOGICAL LIFE-SUPPORT-SYSTEMS (BLSS)USAGE IN-SPACE MISSIONS

In the paper an attempt is made to combine three important criteria of LSS comparison: minimum mass, maximum safety and maximum quality of l ife. Well-known types of BLSS were considered: with higher plant, high er plants and mushrooms, microalgae, and hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria. These BLSSs were compared in terms of ''integrated'' mass for the case of a vegetarian diet and a ''normal'' one (with animal proteins and f ats). It was shown that the BLSS with higher plants and incineration o f wastes becomes the best when the exploitation period is more than 1 yr. The dependence of higher plants' LSS structure on operation time w as found. Comparison of BLSSs in terms of integral reliability (this c riterion includes mass and quality of life criteria) for a lunar base scenario showed that BLSSs with higher plants are advantageous in reli ability and comfort. This comparison was made for achieved level of te chnology of closing and for perspective one. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.